"Redness and itchiness, with or without hives, are signs of a skin allergy," says Clifford W. Bassett, MD, a clinical instructor in the division of infectious diseases and immunology at New York University School of Medicine. "Skin allergies are caused by allergic contact dermatitis."

“Allergic contact dermatitis” is the term used for a rash or irritation of the skin that occurs when allergens, substances that the immune system reacts to as foreign, touch your skin. It’s estimated that atopic dermatitis affects up to 3 percent of adults. Read on to find out about some common — and some surprising — skin allergy triggers.

Perfumes and Fragrances: Unwanted Scents

Perfumes and fragrances are among the most common causes of contact allergies in adults, and this type of allergy is on the rise. But it's not just the stuff you use to smell good. Fragrances that may cause an allergic reaction are found in hundreds of products, including shampoos, soaps, body washes, and household products like room sprays, cleaners, laundry detergents, and dryer sheets. Even products labeled "unscented" can cause contact dermatitis because they may contain a fragrance designed to block unwanted scents. Research has shown that natural oils can also cause allergic reactions. If you're prone to fragrance allergies, look for fragrance-free products.

Nickel: A Common Component of Jewelry

“The most common allergy I see is allergy to nickel,” says Doris Day, MD, director of Day Dermatology and Aesthetics in New York. Nickel is used to create metal alloys that are found in many metal products, including jewelry — even some gold jewelry — and body piercings. Earlobe dermatitis is common because many earrings contain nickel. The allergy may be set off by the needles used in piercing or by the first earrings worn, if they contain nickel. Sweat worsens the reaction.

Nickel is also found in watchbands, eyeglass frames, zippers, and other metal fasteners, such as buckles, buttons, snaps, and hooks. Nickel-sensitive people can use nylon or coated-metal fasteners instead.

Latex in Rubber Gloves, Condoms, and Other Products

If your skin becomes red and itchy when you wear rubber gloves, you’re probably allergic to latex, a milky fluid that comes from rubber trees and is processed to make balloons, waistbands on clothing, rubber bands, condoms, and other products. The allergy is a reaction to certain proteins in latex that your body mistakes for harmful substances. Symptoms can range from mild (rashes, itchy eyes) to severe (difficulty breathing, vomiting). If you have a latex allergy, you can reduce your risk of a reaction by avoiding contact with latex and using substitutes, such as nonlatex gloves. Always tell medical personnel about your allergy.

Hair Dye and Henna Tattoos

Contact dermatitis from hair dye is caused by sensitivity to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which is found in permanent hair dyes that are mixed with another chemical, such as peroxide, before they're applied. About 25 percent of people who are allergic to PPD are also allergic to ingredients found in semipermanent hair dyes. Follow the patch-testing instructions on hair dye packaging to find out if you're sensitive before applying dye to your whole head.

Another culprit: temporary black henna tattoos, because PPD is added to regular henna to make the color darker or black. “Your dermatologist can perform a patch test that will help determine if you are allergic to common allergens such as hair dye,” says Dr. Day.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac

The common weed poison ivy contains an oil, called urushiol, that can cause an allergic reaction. Urushiol is also found in poison oak and poison sumac, which grow as bushes or small trees. Surprisingly, not everyone is allergic to urushiol. For those who are, symptoms of poison ivy rash include itchy skin, redness, hives, and blisters. Urushiol is sticky, so you can get a rash from touching something that came in contact with it — your pet’s fur, your shoes, or firewood, for example. You can experience a poison ivy allergy only if you are exposed to urushiol; the resulting rashes are not contagious. These rashes can usually be treated at home by washing the affected area with cool water and applying nonprescription antihistamines and calamine lotion. Severe cases may require a visit to the doctor.

The Clothes on Your Back

Although many people believe they are allergic to wool, a true wool allergy is rare. People are usually just sensitive to the texture of the fabric. The most common fabric-related allergy is an allergy to formaldehyde resins, which are used to make fabrics waterproof and resistant to wrinkles and shrinkage. They are also used in elastics, and some people develop a rash around the abdomen when elastic in undergarments is exposed with wear. If you experience formaldehyde allergy symptoms, such as burning eyes, skin rashes, and chest tightness, look for clothing that’s only lightly treated with resins, such as pure cotton, polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Often, people who are allergic to formaldehyde in fabric can tolerate clothing that has been washed many times.

Beauty Products and Cosmetics

Allergic reactions to cosmetics can be induced by fragrance allergies, but they may also be caused by preservatives used in cosmetics. Skin irritation is a common problem at the site of contact with cosmetics and may be experienced by anyone, but allergic reactions such as redness, swelling, and hives tend to occur in people who are allergic to specific ingredients, like formaldehyde, parabens, and thimerosal. A surprising allergen is wet nail polish — the most common cause of eyelid dermatitis. “Once the nail polish is dry, you can touch your face and eyes, but you should avoid contact until it is completely dry,” says Day. If you experience a cosmetic allergy, stop using all cosmetics, and then gradually reintroduce products into your routine to isolate the culprit.

Topical Creams and Ointments

Antibiotic creams and ointments are useful in treating cuts. But this is not true among people with an allergy to neomycin, an ingredient found in topical antibiotics and anesthetics used to provide pain relief, such as creams, ointments, ear drops, and eye drops. “These medicines are drying to the skin and create more of an irritant reaction rather than an allergic reaction,” says Day. People with a sensitivity to neomycin experience inflamed rashes at the point of contact. If you think you may be allergic to neomycin, an allergist can perform a skin patch test to confirm it. Once you are certain about the allergy, it’s important to alert your doctor and dentist so they can avoid products with neomycin when treating you.

Sunscreen Ingredients

The lotion you slather on to protect yourself from the sun could have an unwanted effect — but only if you go out in the sun while you’re wearing it. That might sound bizarre, but some chemicals that are harmless by themselves are converted into allergens when they are exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. This type of allergic reaction is called a photocontact allergy, or photoallergic reaction. While certain substances used in sunscreens can cause direct allergic reactions in some people, they cause the reaction in others only when they go out in the sun. Common sunscreen ingredients that can cause allergic reactions include PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), benzophenones, oxybenzone, salicylates, and cyclohexanol.

Household Solvents and Adhesives

Household products that may cause skin allergies include solvents and adhesives — for example, cyanoacrylate, a common household adhesive found in superglues, can cause an allergic reaction. In addition, household cleaning products may include organic solvents, which are used to dissolve stains and grease. Products that contain potent solvents, such as charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, furniture stripper, and nail polish remover, may induce skin allergies. However, “I see more irritant rather than true allergic reactions,” Day says about solvents and adhesives. “An allergic reaction can look like hives, or red patches that are usually very itchy.”

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